“I won’t have what she’s having”
“It doesn’t matter” is the response I typically give prospective clients when they ask what my personal style is. Many designers will specialize in styles and gain clients based on the “one trick pony” approach, but I’ve found that idea to be not only limiting as a business model, but also frustratingly limiting to clients. I once had a client research my portfolio and dismiss me on the grounds of looking “too historic”. What she didn’t understand was that the portfolio pages she viewed were for a client with a home built in the 1800’s. I’ve done plenty of “suburban barn” interpretations for clients who are desperately trying to bring personality to their stepfordized, soulless new construction. My point is that my style conforms to the client; the client doesn’t conform to my interpretation of style. Please keep this in mind before hiring a designer: the designer doesn’t live in your home at the completion of the project. YOU DO.
I’m disturbed at the new trend of accepting quality sub-standard service from undertrained, uninterested, uneducated, unappreciative service folks who regurgitate the bland requests of clients under the assumption that said clients are special and unique. Pay attention the next time you’re in Starbucks or Target or your local hair salon–the product you so desperately seek (while thinking you’re the ONLY ONE to order a triple mocha-latte-soy-drinkidinkidoo) has been thought up, ordered and consumed by scores of others. We have precious few areas in which we can differentiate ourselves from others, so why not make the greatest effort to be special in our homes?
There is an important lesson I am grateful to my relatives for having learned early on: your family defines you. You know what? So does your community, your profession, your avocation…the list goes on and on. Why not, then, make use of the things that define you (and make you happy) and surround yourself with reminders of your identity in your own home? Here’s the test: your house is on fire. Assume that your family and crucial documents are safe. What physical possessions do you grab on the way out? If your list isn’t at least 20 items long of irreplaceable pieces, then you need to reevaluate the decor of your home. One of my most prized pieces is a framed cover of a popular mechanics magazine with the address label still attached; it belonged to my father who passed away last year. I inherited a collection of the magazines and decided to showcase my favorite cover rather than just let the stack sit unused in a corner. I challenge you, dreaders (dear readers), to make your home your own. Can you do it?
December 5th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
[...] If you’re like most folks this time of year, you’re in the process of battling all of the boxes of holiday decorations you’ve accumulated over the years. You go to the basement or attic, locate all the stuff, stand back with your hands on your hips and think “do I really want to go all-out this year?”. It’s okay to have those feelings about holiday decor. It doesn’t mean that you’re a scrooge–it just means that it’s time to re-evaluate your idea of meaningful holiday decor. In my previous rants about the blandification of America, I introduced the idea that decorative things weren’t as important in a design scheme as the meaning behind them. Work with me, here, and apply that theory to holiday decor. If each year of decorating means pulling the same trite stuff out of a box to stick on the tree, then you’re missing an opportunity to reinforce tradition and meaning with your family. Each year at Christmas I reminisce about my wedding ceremony and the most thoughtful gift that my husband and I received. Bodey, my favorite high school teacher, served as the officiant in our ceremony and presented us with a gift of Christmas decorations, including a pretty blanket, ornaments and a Santa figurine. We were puzzled by the holiday gift for a summer wedding until Bodey explained her intention. “You just became a family and you need to start your own traditions”, she said. The blanket quickly became our favorite holiday item and it now serves as the treeskirt. For the first time this year, my daughter Lily is old enough to understand the concept of Christmas. I took great joy in explaining the meaning and history behind each decoration, ornament, and accessory to her. Each item you pull out of the Christmas box has the potential to bring back a flood of memories and meaning, and I encourage you to think about holiday decor as an opportunity to start your own tradition. The best thing about tradition is that it’s never too late to start! (and yes, that is a vulture with a santa hat on top of the tree–an old fraternity house tradition). [...]